Ironman 70.3 Kansas Race Report

Ironman 70.3 Kansas -- a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run -- was a disappointing and humbling effort on my first try in 2008.  My time was 5 hours, 52 minutes and 33 seconds and left me in the medical tent sipping on IVs.  Sure it was a hot day, but my main take-away was that i needed to focus on eating and drinking whether i felt like it or not.

While i am three years older, my training has been going well and i am wiser, right?  So, how would my 2011 attempt go?  First things first.

Lots of items on the checklist that need to be completed in the days before a race.  A random one is readying a flat kit, just in case.  For me the object was to put it all tucked away nicely where i'd not notice it unless i really needed it.  So, behind the seat went a tightly rolled tubular tire, CO2, CO2 chuck, tire levers, razor blade (to help with removal of the damaged tire), and a bottle of Pit Stop (a Plan A measure that fixes and seals punctures with foam sealant).  Sure one could put this all in a seat bag, but that extra weight might cost me a couple seconds on the bike leg (ha).  Plus, i enjoy the challenge of fitting the gear into place with electrical tape.  This was the result.  Flat Kit Scientists like Linsdey Heim or Jodi Seevers may appreciate that i saved on tape by strategically using the tire levers to hold the mass onto my water bottle cage.  Others may notice the wear and tear in my heavy, less than aero, but very comfortable bike seat.  Yes i sometimes feel like i am cruising down the road sitting on the living room couch, but oh my is it worth it!  Anyway, check-ity check check.  Flat kit in place.  Everything packed.

We drove to the KC area Friday afternoon and stayed the night with the always hospitable John, Tammy, & Eric Seevers while Alicia was kind enough to watch over Sweet T at home.  Saturday brought us to Lawrence to check in and get a quick test ride on the bike before leaving them in the sweltering transition area.  Dinner at Paisano's with the rest of the athletes and friends who made the trip from the Big O was followed by an early bedtime.

Before our eyes closed, however, we took one last look at the radar.  The forecast was for an 80% chance of severe storms overnight and race morning.  This would mean that our bikes could get pummeled by hail as they rested unprotected in transition and that the race could be delayed, miserable, dangerous, or even cancelled.  i woke up a couple times in the wee hours with a horrible attitude.  i wanted to race but not if they converted the race to a duathlon due to lightning.  And i didn't want anyone to get hurt so that possibility just put a sour note into my pre-race dreams.  Fortunately i fell back asleep in short time and woke up to a dry parking lot outside the motel.  One bullet dodged.

Up and at 'em in the dark and headed to our campsite that we used only as a parking spot.  Very worth it as it saved us time and energy on race morning.  Thank you, Gina Morkel for organizing those!  As we made final preparations to our transition areas (separate spots for T1 and T2), lightning appeared on the horizon and storms appeared imminent.  In fact, race directors hurried people into the lake and compressed the time between start waves.  As we made one last trip to the port-o's, the pros we already off and splashing.  Gotta hurry!

Wet suits on, farewell hugs given, and the color coded capped herd gradually entered the now choppy depths of Clinton Lake.  Michelle B, Steve, Sara, Bob, Jodi, Craig, Gina, Kevin, Paul, and i were now doing our best fish impressions with many others, but the sea was angry, my friends.  Half-way out there was a small jig east and the waves felt higher than my only ocean race swim leg, plus they were not as predictable.  Once those watery mountains were climbed, we turned back north toward the distant beach and staying on course and not gulping in water was an unexpected challenge.  Still, i was glad that the storms had somehow skirted the area and the wind was the only related challenge.  i kept my eyes on the swim finish chute and pulled the best i could.  Soon my feet were beneath me and i was flying into T1.  Swim split was not what i was hoping for at 40:55, but still faster than 2008 and most of us age groupers seemed to have a lower than expected effort in the water.

Jodi, whose starting wave had gone off 6 minutes (i believe) behind mine climbed out of the drink in 36:42.  i suffered a rookie mistake of briefly struggling to get my wetsuit over the timing chip on my ankle and it was enough for Jodi to catch me as i went to grab my bike to hit the road.  She and Landshark would be chomping on my heels in a hurry, i feared.  Well, i looked forward to seeing her, but there was no time to think.  Go go go.  That's Jodi pictured at right with her shoes clipped to her bike at T1 exit, a skill i must practice before employing it any time soon.

A solid hill greeted us immediately on the bike and some rollers out of the park followed.  After that it is a bit of a blur.  For me, it seems the cycling leg usually is.  i know there were many hills, that there was wind, and that it was crowded enough so that a nearly constant effort had to be made to not inadvertently get a drafting penalty.  On the other hand, i'm pretty sure that Jodi was smiling up and down the entire course.

At 35 miles i remember thinking how hungry i was and that i was ready for this leg to be over.  Red flag!  Time to eat!  Now!  i shoveled in whatever my hand hit in my pockets -- gel, PBJ, Nuun, Grape Rehydrate.  Lots of it.  That was a key moment for me.  Had i not paid attention to my body there, my run may have been uncomfortable at best.  i saw Jodi a few times while on two wheels, but not too many others.  Basically i was just trying to stay upright and get to the run.  Somehow i kept ahead of Jodi, which made me both sad and happy.  i wanted to ride a bit with her, but i also now had a 70.3 bike PR of 2:53:38.  My new, used HED3 wheels helped (at right, yellow helmet), i am sure, but Jodi pushing me hard for years was the difference.  Thanks, my love!  Speaking of, Jodi hit T2 with a bike split of 3:00:09.  It was maybe not her fastest ride ever, but quicker than 2008 and i am proud of her.

As i approached the very end of the bike, i heard Paul Crisman yell out my name, so i knew he was already on the half-marathon course.  That encouraged me as i was hoping i might be fast enough to be able to work together with him on the run.  A fairly quick T2 and i was off and running.  My legs were moving a little too fast, thinking they were still on the bike, but it wasn't until 2 miles in that i decided i should attempt to slow down a bit.  Mile 1 was 7:09, then 7:20, then 7:37.  OK, slow enough.  But wait, is this still too fast?  Just keep going.  i stuck with one runner almost the entire first loop, settling in to around a 7:33 pace.  Heading into the final loop, i was feeling surprisingly good and just kept after it.  i saw a 7:18, then a 7:06, so i backed off a little again, saving up for a solid finish.  Somewhere in there i passed Paul who was battling some serious cramps.  As i pulled away, he said "if you are feeling it, then go for it!"  Thanks, man, that gave me huge confidence.

Doing the math i my head (it always passes time for a few miles), i knew i'd have a PR.  Wait, i might beat 5 hours 30 minutes.  i kept sailing through the miles and then realized i had a shot at my "A" goal of 5:27:30.  Then with 3 miles to go, my legs felt on the heavy side, but my "A+" goal (5:21:22) danced around in my head.  i checked my math and now had 5:20 in my sights... 5:19... 5:18... come on, move move move!  Seeing Jodi and so many other athletes and supporters around the course kept me very inspired and i charged through every aid station, refueling at top speed.  There would be no IVs this year.  No storms.  No question: my hard work had paid off.  i crossed the line in 5 hours, 17 minutes and felt great.  My half marathon time was pleasing at 1:37:00.

A small dose of reality greeted me at the finish line in the form of dizziness and nausea, but i bid it adieu quickly as it wasn't welcome at this party.  i was given my medal and grabbed some fluid and waited for Jodi.  Her welcoming smile and hugs were the highlight of my Ironman Florida day, so i hoped to return the favor soon.  Sure enough, there she was flying down the yellow brick road finishing chute.  Her run split was 1:41:33, a quick half-Mary if you ask me, and a solid finishing time of 5:22:03.

i am so proud of you, my beautiful, fast wife!  What an amazing blessing to be able to train and race together.  Make no mistake, it is rarely easy.  Many sacrifices are made.  But in the end, reaching as one for our high goals and smiling as we go is a dream come true.

We hugged a sweaty hug or two and got our wits about us.  We then searched the crowd for the rest of our courageous tri group, congratulating those who had already finished and cheering home those still out on the course.  We all overcame.  We all finished.  And i am so proud of every one of you.  For some of us, this might be our last triathlon.  For others (and this means you, especially, Michelle R!), there are adventures still ahead.

Great job everyone, and continued good luck as you tackle the rest of your 2011 racing goals.  And thanks, too, to all of those who support us on and off the course.  We couldn't do it without you.